The Princess of Wales looked stunning as she joined her husband Prince William on a visit to the Natural History Museum in London today as they returned to duties after their summer break, which reportedly included a yacht trip to Greece.
Kate, 43, who studied art history at university and has been patron of the attraction since 2013, was seen with her newly blonde locks on display after spending a summer in the sun.
The Prince of Wales also showed a hint of tan during their day out in the capital following their traditional break, which was this year said to include a trip on their superyacht to Kefalonia, sailing around the Greek islands.
Kate, who has apparently dyed her brunette locks a few shades lighter, looked stylish in a fitted tweed ‘Hacket’ blazer from Ralph Lauren, paired with a white Boyfriend Shirt from sustainable British brand With Nothing Underneath, smart dark green tailored trousers and £199 tassel loafers from Pretty Ballerinas.
Alongside gentle waves in her hair, the princess opted for a natural sweep of make-up and added her £495 alphabet necklace from Daniella Draper – which features the initials of her three children, George, Charlotte and Louis – as well as Princess Diana‘s sapphire engagement ring and £850 Kiki McDonough pear drop earrings.
Today, however, the couple dodged downpours as they kicked off their own ‘autumn term’ and visited the site’s newly transformed gardens, meeting children and young people taking part in learning programmes.
As they arrived at the venue, the supportive Prince was seen placing a hand on his wife’s back, making for a sweet display of affection.
The princess appeared firmly in her element as she laughed with school pupils as it began to pour with rain during their time in the gardens – even sweetly helping one child to shelter under her umbrella.
The Princess appears to have undergone a hair transformation in recent months, after first debuting her blonder locks in April
The Princess of Wales joined her husband Prince William to visit the Natural History Museum in London today as they returned to duties after their summer break
Arriving at the museum, Catherine, who previously visited in 2021, said to Dr Sandy Knapp: ‘Sorry it’s been such a long time for me to come back.’
The party posed for photos on the steps to the museum before greeting visitors queuing up to get inside – and Catherine even gave one over-eager youngster a high-five.
They were set to join children taking part in ‘pond dipping’ searching for newts and toads at the Nature Discovery Garden.
But seconds after the primary school children from Kender Primary School, New Cross, south London, arrived to join the royal visitors they were soaked in a massive and sudden downpour.
Catherine and William shared their umbrellas before calling off the outside activity and ushered the children into the dry at the nearby Nature Activity Centre.
The princess led several children while William helped control the rear as the youngsters splashed in puddles as they tried to keep out of the rain.
Beverley Brown, 44, assistant headteacher at Kender Primary School, said: ‘We had been waiting for the session to start and the children were very excited. As we started to move it started to pour and we didn’t know what to do.
The Princess appeared firmly in her element despite the rain shower, as she was seen laughing amid the delighted children
As they arrived at the venue, the supportive Prince was seen placing a hand on his wife’s back, making for a sweet display of affection
At one point, the Princess was seen smiling as she took shelter from the rain under a black umbrella
Kate, 43, showed off her newly blonde locks, while both royals appeared to be sporting a tan
‘Prince William gallantly held an umbrella over an adult and children. Princess Kate was in amongst us and said ‘let them go in’ and ‘let’s take them inside, it’s pouring’.’
All had to dry off inside the activity centre before the royals took part in a workshop helping the children identify animals encased in blocks and find their regular habitat.
Asked by a teacher for their findings, Catherine said the children in her group ‘decided spiders are everywhere.’
William rested his arm on one teacher’s damp shoulders and said: ‘Are you wet? We got you inside in time.’
Speaking afterwards, Ms Brown added: ‘It was an amazing experience for children talking to them non stop about mini beasts. Prince William was laughing as some of the children were using them like jenga blocks.
‘Lots of our families live in quite crowded housing and don’t have access to gardens so to experience all of this at the Natural History Museum is very important for the children.
‘We have received a National Education Nature Park Department of Environment grant for £10,000 for our own pond.’
Catherine, who had visible rain marks on her green blazer jacket, also joined William learning from pupils and teachers at the Co-op Academy, in Manchester.
Both the Prince and Princess of Wales have repeatedly championed environmental causes over the years
The princess looked as stylish as ever in a tweed blazer from Ralph Lauren
William meanwhile seemed to have a holiday tan as he opted for a smart-casual suit
The princess appears to have dyed her hair a few shades lighter – and has spent a summer outdoors
Catherine Princess of Wales visits The Natural History Museum’s newly transformed gardens today (left). Pictured with brunette locks at Wimbledon in July (right)
The school has been creating new habitats on their school grounds through the National Education Nature Park programme.
They also take part in classes aimed at connect with nature and help boost biodiversity in urban areas.
Sitting down in the activity centre, Catherine said: ‘Sorry we are a bit wet. It was nice and dry and then suddenly within seconds, it was such a lovely day.’
William laughed as he added: ‘But it’s nature, in amongst nature.’
The school has created a vertical garden which has dramatically cooled temperature in a classroom which used to be unbearably warm
William asked about other ‘dream’ plans the school has which could involve garden on roofs or and less tarmac around the site.
Three of the pupils told William they wanted to work as marine biologists.
The Prince told them there were still many unknown mysteries of the deep and added: ‘You three could be the first ones to bring back crazy cool research from down at the bottom.’
The Prince and Princess of Wales met with school pupils during their visit to the garden and Kate sweetly helped one child shelter under her umbrella as it started to pour with rain
The Princess of Wales expertly dealt with the sudden downpour and remained in cheery spirits
The Princess dealt with a classic British downpour after spending her summer holidays in the sun
Speaking afterwards Noah, 14, said he was surprised at how ‘informal’ the visit was.
They were shown how cutting-edge technology is being used around the garden to inform the Museum’s conservation and research biodiversity projects.
A network of sensors collects environmental data and, together with environmental DNA data, build a picture of life in the gardens, making them one of the most intensively studied urban sites of its kind globally and a testbed for conservation science innovation.
The trailblazing education programme, led by the Museum working with the RHS and commissioned by the Department for Education, has seen more than 7,500 schools, colleges and nurseries getting involved so far, and is inspiring action in young people by developing their connection with nature.
The gardens and National Education Nature Park programme are part of the Natural History Museum’s ambitious Urban Nature Movement, an initiative which aims to help people feel more connected to nature and more confident in their ability to protect it.
It’s a cause clearly close to the hearts of the Prince and Princess of Wales, as Kate is currently spearheading her ‘Mother Nature’ project to highlight humanity’s connection to the natural world, while William’s annual Earthshot Prize has reaffirmed the couple’s commitment to tackle the world’s biggest climate challenges.
The Princess has spoken in depth about how she turned to nature as a source of comfort and solace during her cancer diagnosis last year, even calling it her ‘sanctuary’ in a video released in May to mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week.
The royal couple have marked their first joint engagement since returning from their summer break
They were given a tour of the newly renovated gardens at the Natural History Museum
The couple met with children and young people taking part in learning programmes which see them connecting with nature and boosting biodiversity
After the downpours outside, the prince and princess looked relieved to be sheltered from the rain
Kate and William are both passionate about promoting the benefits of spending time in nature and tackling climate challenges
Kate said at the time: ‘Over the past year, nature has been my sanctuary.
‘The natural world’s capacity to inspire us, to nurture us and help us heal and grow is boundless and has been understood for generations.
‘It is through nature, that we can fully understand the true interconnectedness of all things, the importance of balance and the importance of renewal and resilience. Connecting to nature helps us to experience a deeper sense of ourselves, the world around us, and each other.’
In a follow-up video titled ‘Summer’ released last month, Kate again released a personal message about her connection with nature.
She said: ‘Our lives flourish when we cherish the bonds of love and friendship. It has never been more important to appreciate the value of one another, and of Mother Nature. Here’s to Summer. C’.
In 2019, Her Royal Highness launched the ‘Back to Nature’ garden at the Chelsea Flower Show to spotlight the power of nature in enriching early childhood development. The Princess has also had a longtime relationship with the Scouts which focuses on enabling children and young people to experience the outdoors and natural world.
The gardens first opened in July 2024 and are intended to serve as a ‘living laboratory’, where visitors and scientists can monitor wildlife in an urban environment.
The gardens opened in 2024 and serve as a living laboratory, where visitors and scientists can identify and monitor wildlife in an urban environment
The royal couple beamed as they returned to work – both of them with a tan
Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales during their visit to the newly renovated gardens
The Prince and Princess of Wales during their visit to the Natural History Museum’s newly transformed gardens in London
Since then, they have welcomed more than five million visitors – and hope the space will encourage young people to take positive action for nature and spend more time in nature through hands-on activities.
According to the museum, visitors have reported feelings of enhanced wellbeing after spending time in the gardens.
In 2021, The Princess spent time at the Museum while they were in the early stages of development for the Urban Nature Project – hearing how work was underway to transform the Natural History Museum gardens into a cutting-edge research centre and outdoor classrooms.
The year before, she visited the attraction once again and said it was ‘wonderful to be back’ at the reopened museum.
In a video clip, she explained: ‘It’s so wonderful to be back at the re-opened Natural History Museum where we can all enjoy it’s treasures once again.
‘I’m here because tomorrow night, I’m announcing the 56th Wildlife Photographer of the Year.’
South Kensington’s museum district – usually a tourist and school holiday hotspot in London – had been closed for months during the coronavirus lockdown.
This year, the Wales family were reported to have spent time sailing around the Greek islands during their summer break in July.
At the time, the royals were said to have headed south in the Ionian sea from Kefalonia, to another island, Zakynthos and were said to have borrowed a $40million superyacht called Almax for their trip.
Later on, the Princess greeted excited crowds who had arrived for a day at the museum
William was also seen chatting to onlookers who had hoped to catch a glimpse of the royals
The Princess of Wales met a young royal fan who was thrilled to meet with royalty
The gardens and National Education Nature Park programme are part of the Natural History Museum’s Urban Nature Movement
The royal mother-of-three was seen beaming as she joined her husband for the first visit of the ‘autumn term’
Kate was once again seen with newly-blonde locks – which she debuted during a trip to Balmoral last month
Her new look is thought to be the result of spending the summer in the sun, which reportedly included a yacht holiday to Greece
The princess studied history of art at university and has been patron of the museum since 2013. Pictured with Director of the Natural History Museum Douglas Gurr and botanist Sandy Knapp
After dropping anchor some distance from shore, it was then said Prince George had fancied something off the menu, though sources have remained tight-lipped about details.
A source said at the time: ‘George required a specific dietary item which led to the tender going ashore in Zakynthos to purchase it. Nothing extravagant, just something particular.’
A week beforehand, the Daily Mail revealed that a retired civil servant spotted some of the royal party – Kate, Charlotte and Louis – on their superyacht off the coast of Ithaca, a tiny island 25 minutes by ferry from Kefalonia.
Penelope Likoudi, 64, was swimming in secluded Mavrouna Bay when she came within 30 metres (100ft) of the yacht.
‘Kate was standing on the top level with Charlotte and Louis,’ she said. ‘There was an older lady next to them, possibly Kate’s mother, but I wasn’t able to see her well.
‘I literally shivered with excitement. I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it. Now I wish I’d called out hello to them. But I didn’t, I got starstruck and couldn’t get the words out.
‘There was no sign of William or George though.’
The Daily Mail has learned that not once during the sailing trip did the royals set foot on any of the islands.
It is thought to have been considered but quickly ruled out because of security concerns. Instead the royals made good use of a platform that transforms the stern hatch into a private beach area, where they swam and played on inflatables and paddleboards.
It was rumoured at the time that the Prince and Princess of Wales had been joined by Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton – although this has not been confirmed.
The couple were reported to have touched down in a private jet, before being whisked away in a convoy of vehicles with tinted windows.
The Princess of Wales seemingly debuted a new hair colour as she was spotted with lighter locks on her way to Sunday church service in Balmoral last month
Catherine, 43, appeared to have coloured her hair a few shades lighter as her cascading tresses looked more blonde than ever before
Prior to taking time out from the public eye for the summer, Kate’s last official engagements included attending Wimbledon tennis tournament and visiting the RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital in July.
The Prince and Princess of Wales also joined King Charles and Queen Camilla to spend time at Balmoral during their summer break.
Kate was last seen publicly when she attended the traditional Sunday service at Crathie Kirk during their stay.
The royal mother-of-three was in the passenger seat as William drove to the service, while their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were in the backseat.
The princess appeared to have coloured her hair a few shades lighter as her cascading tresses looked more blonde than ever before.
William, appearing a calm and collected driver, looked smart in a suit and tie as he sat behind the wheel.
Meanwhile, Kate was the picture of elegance in a black hat with a structured bow, a textured jacket and a maroon top as she smiled in the passenger seat next to William.
Charlotte, 10, gazed out the car window with a curious expression on her face, her hair tied up neatly so it stayed out of her face. She was wearing a cream cardigan over a polka dot dress – her mother Kate’s favourite print.
She also spent time in the sun during Wimbledon tennis tournament in July
The Princess of Wales during a visit to the RHS’s Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital in Essex on July 2
Prince William, and Kate, Princess of Wales, attend the State Banquet at Windsor Castle on July 8
During the drive, it appeared Prince George, 11, was deep in conversation with Prince Louis, seven, whose eyes were large as he looked up at his big brother.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, experts claimed that the mother-of-three’s blonder locks may also be the result of spending more time in the sun than usual.
Sarah Gadsdon, a freelance stylist, told the Daily Mail: ‘After a sun-soaked holiday in Greece, Kate returned not only with a refreshed spirit but also with naturally lightened hair.
‘The combination of sea air, sunshine, and saltwater had gently lifted her hair to a softer shade – creating the perfect starting point for her next salon visit.’
Sarah believes that Kate’s naturally lightened hair led her hairdresser to ‘see an opportunity’ to go a few shades blonder – as it required ‘less chemical processing’ to do so.
On a trip to Tobermory back in April, Kate was also seen with the lighter look, instead of her usual dark brunette.
Sarah added: ‘As Kate embraces the natural changes that come with aging, such as the increasing presence of grey strands, she’s made a thoughtful shift in her hair colour strategy.
‘Rather than covering greys with darker dyes – which often require more frequent maintenance- she’s opted for a lighter, blended tone. This approach not only gives her hair a softer, more natural appearance but also helps camouflage greys in a subtle, low-maintenance way.
‘Thanks to her time in the Greek sun, Kate has found a new, more effortless hair colour that flatters her features, respects the health of her hair, and celebrates the beauty of aging with confidence.’
